Condenser-type interrupter



July 15, 1924. 1,501,270

L. W. CHUBB CONDENS ER TYPE INTERRUPTER Filed Dec. 31, 1918 WITNESSES: v INVENTOR 0. W Lew/9 WC/wbb.

x *BY JATTORNEZY Patented J uly' 15, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS W. CHUBIB, OF EDGEWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND EANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION-OI PENNSYLVANIA.

CONDENSER-TYPE INTERRUPTER.

Application filed December 31, 1918. Serial No. 269,092.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS W. CHUBB, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented a new and useful Improvement in Condenser-Type Interrupters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for interrupting electrical currents, and it has for its object to provided apparatus of the character designated which shall be capable of interrupting the current in electrical circuits without the possibility of an arc being formed at the make-and-break contacts thereof.

The efliciency of a spark coil or other device in which the operating energy is of an inductive character generated by the sudden collapse of electromagnetic fields, depends almost entirely upon the speed with which the current in a primary circuit is interrupted. In the past, it has been customary to place a condenser across the interrupter contacts in order that a sudden break in the circuit may be accomplished without the tendency for an arc to form. If the condenser is large enough .to completely neutralize the above mentioned inductive efiect, it charges very slowlywand consumes the electromagnetic energy of the core to such an extent that the current in the primary circuit isinterrupted more slowly and, therefore, it is a matter of great difliculty to obtain a high voltage in the secondary circuit of the spark coil or other apparatus. If the condenser, on the other hand, is omitted, or if its capacity is relatively small, as compared with the current flowing in the circuit to be interrupted, this currenttends to maintain an are or spark at the interrupting contacts, and the break is, therefore, made at a' relatively low rate of speed.

Primarily, the failure of a small condenser to counteract. the tendency for an arc to form resides in the fact that, in interrupting'a current through any inductive circuit, even though an energy-storing" device is connected in parallel relationship to the interrupted circuit, a relatively great change in the current path is occasioned at the instant of separation and this, in turn, causes an appreciable displacement of the lines of magnetic force which surround the circuit in question. Such displacement results in a relatively large electromotive force that is due to the inductive influence of the broken circuitQ The change in the current aths is always relatively great when a con ensive element is connected around the point of break and, moreover, even the shortest of lead wires which may be used to connect the same have an appreciable inductance, and, it may well be that, while the condenser has suflicient capacity to nullify the inductive effect of the changed current path, the inductive leads themselves are in series with the condenser and prevent an instantaneous change in the current path. For all of the foregoing reasons, it is necessary, in apparatus of the character described, to provlde a relatively large condenser, as compared with the remainder of the apparatus.

If, however, it were possible to connect a condensive element directly at the point of break in the interrupted circuit, it is apparent that the inductance of the lead wires -Would be eliminated and a small condensance could be used through which the current at the contacts could be instantly diverted and allow separation of the contacts without a spark. Moreover, the establishment of a condensive element, or other energy-storing means, directly at the point of break in the interrupted circuit, would result in substantially no change or displacementin the electromagnetic field existing around the circuit in question and this would, in turn, eliminate the large inductive influence usually caused by such displacement.

One object of my invention, therefore, is to provide an interrupting device for an electrical circuit in which current is flowing, which shall have a condensance established at the instant of the break in said circuit and at such point in the interrupting apparatus that substantially no change in the current paths or displacement of the gnetic field shall be occasioned, at the instant that the contacts separate.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an elevational sectional view of an interrupting device constructed in accordance with my invention: and Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line II of Fig. 1.

The interrupting device comprises two acting members 1 and 2, here shown, for convenience, as arranged in a vertical manner. As shown, the lower member 2 is provided with an annular channel 3 which is formed by an annular lip member 4 and a centrally-disposed portion 5. It will be ob served that the structure just described forms a cup-shaped vessel in which the portion 5 is substantially below the top of the lip member 4.

The upper co-acting member 1 terminates in an annular projecting portion 6 which is arranged to co-operate with the channel 3 of the member2. A centrally-disposed portion 7 projects from the center of the cup formed by the annular member 6 and is adapted to co-act with the centrally-disposed member 5 of the member 2.

In the embodiment of my invention here shown, an electrolytic substance 8 is shown as partially filling the channel 3 of the member 2. When used with the electrolyte 8, one or both of the members 1 and 2 are made of film-forming material. Moreover, the two centrally-disposed portions 5 and 7 of the co-acting members are here shown as terminating in non-oxidizable members 9 and 10, respectively, to prevent the formation of films 0r growths on the make-andbreak surfaces.

The contact members 1 and 2 may be actuated in any well-known manner, and it will be understood, in the following description of the operation of my invention, that the aforesaid co-acting members are moved at such speeds as are obtainable with the present actuating devices for apparatus of the character designated.

When the centrally-disposed portions 5 and 7, which, in this embodiment of my invention, constitute the contact members of the interrupting device, are separated, the current flowing therethrough is suddenly stopped. Since, however, the projecting member 6 and the channel f the member 2 co-operate, through the medium of the electrolyte 8, a condensive element is constituted through which the current is diverted, with substantially no change in the current path. This condenser of small capacitance will be charged suddenly, and will quickly stop the main current by the building of a counter electromotive force. From a consideration of Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the condenser in question is established substantially at the point of break and, while the interrupting apparatus is shown on a large scale, it is obvious that, when adapted for an inappreciable amount. Not only are the I displacement of the magnetic field and the change in the current path reduced to an absolute minimum, but, in addition, it will be observed that the provision of a condenser substantially at the point of break eliminates the inductance which may he occasioned by lead wires being used to connect the condensive element around the point of break, in the usual manner.

My interrupting device is of. especial benefit when the apparatus with which it is to be associated is of such character that it must be entirely self-contained. As is wellknown, the rovision of a condenser large enough to ta e care of the normal inductive influence occasioned by the interruption of circuits, even of low power, is attended with much space, cost, and many operating difliculties. Again, in order to generate, with spark coils or other circuit-interrupting devices, a relatively high voltage, it is essential that the break in the circuit shall be as sharp as possible or that no tendency shall exist for an arc to persist atthe point of break. All of the above difliculties, which have been experienced in connection with apparatus of the character described, are eliminated by the provision of a condenser which will be effective at the point of break, as set forth in the foregoing description.

Attention is drawn to the fact that, aside from the function of producing an electrolyticcondenser, my apparatus provides means whereby the contacting portions of the electrodes are sealed against atmospheric influence. The contact points are thus not only protected against moisture and corroding gases which are sometimes present in the atmosphere, but also the quantity of oxygen present is definitely limited, thus setting a limit upon the possible oxidation of the contacting members.

While I have shown. but one embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many changes may occur to those. skilled in the art and I desire, therefore, to be protected broadly in the use of interrupting devices in which a condensive element is provided integral with the make and break contacts or substantially at the point of separation thereof. Therefore, I desire no other limitations to be placed upon the present invention than are imposed by the scope of the prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a current-interrupting device, of energy-storing means integral therewith for bridging the same.

2. The combination with a current-interrupting device, of energy-storing means integral therewith at substantially the interrupting point thereof for bridging the same.

3. In a current-interrupting device, coacting make-and-break members, and energystoring means integral therewith for bridging the same.

4. In a current-interrupting device, coacting makc-and-break members, and energystorin means bridging the same and arrange to produce a minimum change in the current paths when said device interrupts a current-carrying circuit.

5. In a current-interrupting device, oo-

acting make-and-break members, and energy-- storing means bridging the same and arran ed to produce substantially no change in t e current paths when said device interrupts a current-carrying circuit.

6. In a current-interrupting device, makeand-break'members adapted to contact and break contact with 'each other, and means co-acting with said members to produce an energy-storing medium upon the separation thereof.

7. In a current-interrupting device, makeand-break members adapted to contact and break contact with each other, and means co-acting with said members to produce an energy-storing medium at the point of break upon the separation thereof.

8. In a current-interrupting device, filmforming make-and-break members adapted to contact and break contact with each other, and an electrolyte co-acting with said members to produce an energy-storing medium upon the separation thereof.

9. In a current-interrupting device, 00- acting make-and-break members, one of said members being provided with an annular channel and the otherof said members being provided with a projecting portion adapted to co-operate with the channel of said first member, and means associated with said members whereby the interior thereof is sealed against atmospheric influence and adapted to form an electrolytic condenser.

10. In a current interrupting device, an electrolytic condenser comprising co-acting make-and-break members, one of said mem bers being provided with an annular-chanme] and a centrally disposed projecting port1on, and the other of said members having an-annular-projecting portion and a centrally-disposed projecting portion, said centrally disposed portions of the two members co-operating as make-and-break contacts, said annular-channel being adapted to contain a liquid, whereby the interior of said members may be sealed against atmospheric influence.

11. In a current-interrupting device, an electrolytic condenser comprising co-acting ma-ke-and-break members, one of said members beingprovided with an annular channel and a centrally-disposed projecting por- 'tion, and the other of said members having an annular projecting portion and a centrally-disposed projecting portion, said centrally-disposed portions of the two members co-operatlng as make-and-break contacts,

and the annular projecting portion of said last-named member operating to substantially enclose said contacts, said annularchannel being adapted to contain a liquid, whereby the interior of said members may be sealed against atmospheric influence.

12. In a current-interrupting device, coacting make-and-break members, one of said members being provided with an annularchann'el and the other of said members being provided with a projecting portion adapted to co-operate with the channel of said first member, and electrolytic means disposed in said channel-of the first member, and adapted to form a film upon at least one of said members.

13. In a current-interrupting device, coacting make-and-break members, one of said members being provided with an annular channel, and a centrally-disposed projecting portion, and the other of said members having an annular projecting portion and a centrally-disposed projecting 'portion, an electrolyte disposed in said annular channel and adapted to form a film upon at least one of said members, said centrally disposed portions of the two members co-operating as make-and-break contacts, and said coniacts terminating in non-oxdizable memers.

14. In a current interrupting device, coacting make-and-break members, one ofbers having an annular projection portion and a centrally-disposed projecting portion,

said centrally-disposed portions of the two members co-operating as make-and-break contacts, and means co-acting with said members whereby an energy-storing medium is formed at the point of separation of said members.

15. In a device for interrupting an electric-current, the method of insuringasparkless break whch consists in establishing an energy-storing means at the; point of break for bridging the same.

"16. In a device for interrupting an electric current, the method of' neutralizing the inductive co unter-electromotive force means.

17. In a current-interrupting device of 5 the type employing energy-storing means bridglng the Interrupting means, the method of neutralizing the inductive counter-electromotive force which tends to be generated when said current is interrupted which consists in causing a minimum change in the 10 current paths at the instant of interruption.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day of Dec., 1918.

LEWIS W. GHU BB. 

